Improvement in tobacco-pressing machines



-s. P. HODGEN.l Tobaco-Prssing Machine.

No. 211,329. Patented Jan.14,1879,

NA PEIERS, PHOTO-L|THOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. n c,

nrrnn STATES PATENT IOFF-ioni.'

SAMUEL I. HODGEN, OF MAR'ILING, MISSOURI.

` IMPROVEMENT iN TOBACCO-PRESSING MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 2lll,329, dated January 14, 1879; application filed December 5, 187e.

proved machine; Fig. 2, a vertical section of the saine. Figs. 8 and 4L are detail views.

This invention has relation to improvements in tables to be connected to tobacco-pressing machines; and the invention consists in the combination, with a tobacco-pressin g machine,

. of atable connected therewith and provided "with a semicircular opening for receiving and holding the hogshcad in which the tobacco is to be pressed.

It further consists in the combination, with a table provided with a semicircular opening, of a removable semicircular hooked band, adapted to be connected with said table and pass around the hogshead being filled for` more securely holding it in position.

It finally consists in a follower provided on 'its top side with stationary pivoted or hinged dogs, for engaging with the inner sides of the hogshead being filled, for the purpose of holding saidfollower in place and preventing its being forced up by the expansion of the tobacco when the screw is removed to put more block on, or when it is desired to take another set, all as will be hereinafter fully described.

'lo enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I .will nowproceed to describe the exact manner in which it is carried out.

In the drawing, A represents the base-plate for supporting the hogshead to be packed, said base -plate being provided with a circular chine-board, A', secured thereto, over which the hogshead fits, thus holding the bottom securely inposition. B B represent vertical standards secured tossaid base plate, and their top ends connected together by crossbeams C, forming a frame, to which the pressing mechanism is secured.

' E represents a table connected to the standards B B and supported by the horizontal bea-ms c e and diagonal braces F F. This table is provided with a vsemicircular opening, G, to receive thc hogshead tobe filled and prevent its being tipped over toward the table in being prized lthat way. y

H represents a removable semicircular band provided with hooked ends h h, said band adapted to pass around the hogshead and secured to the table by the keys g g, screws, pins, or other equivalent devices, and the slots t i in extensionpieces secured to the underside of the table, or other equivalent devices, to which the keys, pins, screws, or other devices may be secured. y

Heretofore movable tables have been used with tobacco-pressing machines, said tables being set up by the side of the hogsheads to lay the tobacco on while filling said hogshead. By my improved arrangement the table forms an essential feature in securing the hogsliead in position; and when the hogsheads are of the same size and fastened in the press as above described, it is impossible to prize them any other way than straight.

J represents the follower, having two or more dogs, a, hinged or pivotcd directly to the top side, and near the outer circumference thereof. The free ends of the dogs are pointed or roughened to engage with the inside of the hogshead, whereby the follower is prevented from being forced up by the expansion of the tobacco when the screw is removed to put lnore block on, or when it is desired to take another set.

By my arrangement of dogs the follower can be leveled up from time, as in packing tobacco in hogsheads it is frequently the case that one side is not packed as tight as the other side, and when the screw-pressure is applied one side of the follower will settle faster than the other side, and it becomes necessary to stop pressing and level up the follower,

'which is accomplished by setting one dog to engage with the hogshead at the point where the follower is the highest and let up on the screw, when the spring or expansion of the tobacco will raise the lower side of the follower up level with the highest point thereof, when the other dogs are set up to engage with the hogshead. The screw can then be let up en' tirely or removed and a fresh supply of block added, after which the screw-pressure can be again applied, when the follower will set level and true.

I am aware that a press or cover for tubs and barrels provided with grooved cross-bars for the reception of eccentrically-pivoted arms, the points of said arms adapted to engage with the inner side of the tub or barrel for holding said cover down in position, is old, and such I do not desire to claim, broadly, as my invention. Such construction is, however, obviously objectionable for pressing or prizing tobacco, as the grooved cross-bars would interfere with the use of blocks, which are applied from time to time crosswise on the follower to give the screw more length, or to make a long screw of ashort one.

My dogs being pivoted or hinged directly to the follower, and near theonter circumference thereof, obviate the use of grooved crossbars, thus simplifying the construction, and at the same time permitting` the use of blocks for the purpose above described.

y I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, in a tobacco-pressing machine, of a `table connected thereto, and provided with a semicircular opening for receiving' and holding a hogshead in which the tobacco is to be pressed, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. The combination, with a table provided with a hooked semicircular opening for receiving a hogshead, of a semicircular band adapted to pass around the hogshead, and removably SAMUEL PARK HODGEN.

Witnesses:

E. H. BENHAM, H. B. LOGAN. 

